PEACE! The NLD Caravan, crafted by the provincial government to achieve long and lasting peace, ends with a photo opportunity with the residents.

DAVAO ORIENTAL— The Provincial Government’s flagship program Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental Barangay Outreach Caravan (NLD-BOC) has now covered a total of 97 out of 183 barangays after five more villages recently reached by the program.

Thousands of residents have benefitted from the NLD-BOC held on October 25 to 26 in four Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in Caraga town—Barangays Pichon, Lamiawan, San Pedro, and Alvar, and on October 29, in Barangay Matiao in the City of Mati.

The 67th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army served hot porridge in Barangay San Pedro.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, who devised this program as a strategy for peace and development, urged residents to help the government achieve lasting peace, noting the gains it has so far achieved with the implementation of NLD-BOC.

While the Municipality of Caraga and the City of Mati are famous for its exquisite tourism destinations, Governor Dayanghirang told residents that an insurgency-free province is what entices investment and tourism here to flourish.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang

“We brought you all of the agencies and the offices in the province as a testament that your one true government works and cares for you. Let us all be unified to attain peace. As you can see, we are geographically located at the tip of Davao Region, which makes it challenging for us to invite investors and tourists. However, with the improving peace situation in our province, we have seen an increase in investment as well as in tourism. We just have to continue with our efforts in achieving insurgency-free as well as drug-free Davao Oriental. For in the end, it is you, my beloved people of Davao Oriental who will reap the fruits of a peaceful province,” Governor Dayanghirang said.

The needs of the PWDs are given importance during the NLD-BOC.

The caravan, which consistently brings social, dental, medical, and livelihood services to its recipients, has also become instrumental to secure support from various national agencies and offices, such as the office of the Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, who has been providing basketball clinics, basketball balls, notebook, shirts, and grocery packs in support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

SAP Bong Go’s basketball clinic provides recreation to the youth and at the same time preventing them from engaging into illegal drugs.

The PBA Party-list has also been extending its support to the NLD-BOC program by giving out reference books to the schools through the Governor’s Office.

In effort to further cater to indigent patients as well as to the bereaved families whose relative has died, Governor Dayanghirang, on the other hand, has established satellite offices in different public-run hospitals here as well as in other hospitals in the neighboring cities. He said this is the government’s way to extend help to the public without the need for people to travel to the Governor’s main office at the Capitol.

Grateful recipient in Barangay Matiao was made even happier upon meeting the Governor.

Through the caravan, various agencies and offices continue to render services to its clients. Some of these are advocacy lectures, veterinary services, technical and legal consultation, employment program, among many others.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has currently phased out its Emergency Employment Program and replaced it with their Government Internship Program (GIP). An employment program that lasts up to three months, the department grants GIP to every three individuals in every recipient barangay.

Free eye check-up and free reading eye glasses are given to the elderly and to everyone who wishes to avail of the service.

Caraga Mayor Alicia B. Mori, as well as City of Mati Mayor Carlo G. Rabat have expressed in their message their support for the program.

“We are in awe for the Governor’s desire to really bring government services felt by the people even in the farthest barangay in our Municipality. We in the Municipal Government of Caraga are very thankful to Governor Dayanghirang for crafting this program. Rest assured that we will support the NLD Caravan throughout its implementation,” Mayor Mori said. By Riza M. Golez/Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan